The left-handed opener cracked an unbeaten 107 (129b, 11x4, 1x6) as he and Azharuddin made up for Sachin Tendulkar's (29) relatively cheap dismissal with a match-winning second wicket stand of 153 to inspire India to 236 for two wickets in 41.5 overs in reply to Zimbabwe's 235 for 7 made in the allotted 45 overs.

The 2-0 series win was India's fifth success in seven one-day tournaments or series this year. The third and final tie will be played in Harare on september 30.

The left-handed Ganguly found the right occasion to touch top form, after struggling in the Sahara Cup series against Pakistan in Toronto, in the company of Azharuddin (72: 81b, 4x4, 1x6) and was present to bring up the winning runs with Ajay Jadeja (17 notout).

Azharuddin's luck with the toss continued and he promptly inducted Zimbabwe on a track sporting wet patches after overnight rain delayed start of play by over an hour and the match was reduced to 45 overs a side.

Zimbabwe had raised hopes of pulling off a win as skipper Alistair Campbell (74: 117b, 4x4, 1x6) again top-scored with his second straight half-century and raised 125 runs for the second wicket with Murray Goodwin (66: 93b, 4x4). Andy Flower (25), Craig Evans (17) and Paul Strang (18 n.o.) did come up with small contributions, but it could only help the hosts post a competitive total for India to chase at a rate of 5.24 an over.

After Tendulkar had set up India's identical eight-wicket win in the opening tie yesterday, it was his opening partner's turn today to star in the win and claim the `Man of the Match' award.

Tendulkar began the chase in whirlwind fashion as his 29 came off only 21 balls and was packed with four boundaries and a six.

But Ganguly took over once Tendulkar steeredMuleleki Nkala to Craig Wishart at point which gave the 17-year-old debutant medium-pacer a wicket off only his second delivery in international cricket.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe: A Campbell c Ganguly b Kumble 74, T Madondo run out 0, M Goodwin c & b Srinath 66, A Flower c Srinath b Kumble 25, C Wishart c Jadeja b Harbhajan 13, C Evans b Srinath 17, H Streak c Mongia b Agarkar 5, P Strang not out 18, A Whitall not out 2. Extras (lb-9, nb-2, w-4): 15. Total (for seven wickets in 45 overs): 235
Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-140, 3-155, 4-188, 5-193, 6-200, 7-223.
Bowling: Srinath 9-0-35-2, Agarkar 9-1-46-1, Harbhajan 9-1-45-1, Kumble 9-0-49-2, Robin Singh 7-0-40-0, Tendulkar 2-0-11-0 (w-2).

India: S Tendulkar c Wishart b Nkala 29, S Ganguly not out 107, M Azharuddin c Wishart b Campbell 72, A Jadeja not out 17. extras (w-9, lb-2): 11. Total (for 2 wkts, 41.5 overs): 236.
Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-197.
Bowling: Streak 9-0-49-0, Rennie 7.5-0-44-0, Nakala5-0-32-1, Evans 4-0-17-0, A Whittall 9-0-52-0, Wishart 2-0-12-0, Campbell 5-0-28-1.